Release
date: July
26th
2019 (Digital)/August
23rd
2019 (Vinyl).
Label: Cursed
Tongue Records
(Vinyl).
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
111
– Tracklisting
1.
Sanctimonious
2.
Breeder’s Curse
3.
Unborn
4.
Mrtyu
5.
Pigs
6.
Treehugger
7.
Black Snake
Members
Eddie
Brnabic : Guitar
Laura
Phillips : Bass
Ryan
Moore : Drums
Ben
Jackson : Vocals/Keys
Review
111
is the new album from Hippie Death Cult and it’s quite a highly
psychedelic mix of Doom Metal, Stoner Rock, Grunge and classic Hard
Rock sounds. The album is quite brooding and heavy from the start
with Hippie Death Cult creating a complex sounding atmosphere that is
influenced by Black Sabbath and Soundgarden in places especially on
the excellent opening song – Sanctimonious.
Sanctimonious
sees Hippie Death Cult playing a hybrid Doom Meta/Grunge sound with
the heavy atmosphere moving between Black Sabbath style heaviness and
soaring Grunge melodies. Even the vocals have a slight Chris Cornell
influence to them. The lyrics are very cool and allows Hippie Death
Cult music to grow naturally. The listener becomes part of the action
with the swirling psychedelic noises working best when the Grunge
rhythms appear. This is a fantastic song to open the album with.
Second
song – Breeder’s Curse – is straight up Doom/Stoner Rock song
with plenty of anger and attitude to match. The riffs are loud,
confident and angry from the start. You can hear a little bit of FUZZ
ROCK starting to appear as Hippie Death Cult change their style of
music for this song. The heavy guitars pitch the perfect balance
between classic seventies Doom/Hard Rock and more modern Fuzz/Stoner
Rock grooves.
Third
song – Unborn – is a song lasting past the eight-minute mark and
Hippie Death Cult open with a creepy and almost occult Blues Rock
riff. The song takes time to fully get going as Hippie Death Cult add
many different genres for a heavier and progressive sound. This is
easily one of the best songs on the album as Hippie Death Cult have
more fun with this song and the Doom Metal based riffs are quite
direct in places. The gloomy lyrics and passionate vocals will leave
you wanting more.
Fourth
song – Mrtyu – is an instrumental Psychedelic Folk Rock song that
is superbly played from start to finish. It’s quite soothing to
listen to and is a stark contrast to the other songs held on the
album. I will admit that I wanted some heavy sounds to appear on this
song. Though, it’s a cool change of pace and I admire the band for
including this song on the album.
Anyway,
the band get back playing their usual Hard Rock/Doom Metal/Grunge
based melodies on the superb song – Pigs. This song has a Classic
Hard Rock feel with HDS adding a distinctive Led Zep/Aerosmith
approach to their overall sound. The vocals feel inspired by Chris
Cornell again and I loved how the soulful vocals soon give way for
the darker and heavier progressive guitars riffs to work their magic.
The
final two songs Treehugger and Black Snake are more psychedelic but
Hippie Death Cult still carry on playing their addictive Doom/Grunge
hybrid sound and sees 111 ending on an exciting finish.
Hippie
Death Cult should be mightily proud of this release. As 111 is a
richly rewarding and deeply engaging album that becomes better with
each subsequent listen.
Words
by Steve Howe
111 will be available to buy
on Digital from July 26th 2019 and on Vinyl from August 23rd via Cursed Tongue Records.
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